Do you need a referral for narrowband UVB phototherapy?

Narrowband UVB uses a carefully selected band of ultraviolet light to treat some inflammatory or pigment-related skin conditions. The clinician needs to identify the skin condition, review medicines and light sensitivity, and decide whether this treatment is suitable. A service may accept a direct booking for an initial consultation, but the treatment itself generally follows a clinical plan with scheduled visits and dose adjustments. A referral may come from a general practitioner, dermatologist, or another clinician involved in your care.

Ask the phototherapy service whether you can self-book an assessment and whether a referral letter is needed for treatment sessions. Gather your diagnosis, current medicines, previous light treatments, and details of any unusual reaction to sunlight. Tell the clinician about medicines or products that increase light sensitivity, a history of skin cancer, and difficulty attending regular appointments. Ask how the service records each session and what preparation is expected on treatment days.

Seek prompt advice if treated skin develops blistering, severe pain, extensive redness, marked swelling, or signs of infection. Contact a clinician quickly for a new or changing suspicious skin lesion rather than waiting for routine phototherapy. Do not increase light exposure or alter a prescribed schedule on your own.

Ask: What condition is being treated? Why is narrowband UVB appropriate for me? Do I need a referral before the consultation? How often might sessions be arranged? Which medicines, creams, or symptoms should I report before treatment?